Furniture with modular corner system

ABSTRACT

A modular furniture assembly includes two more modular body sections horizontally interlocked using a coupling mechanism which may be male-over-female type, female-over-male type, one male two females type, or one female two males type. The body sections have a substantially same geometrical top view figure. The male members and female members in the coupling mechanism have a substantially same geometrical top view figure as, but with fitting dimensions smaller than, said body sections&#39; geometrical top view figure. The top view figure is comprised of a symmetrical trapezoid and a rectangle with a width identical to the trapezoid&#39;s wide segment. The trapezoid&#39;s two symmetrical hypotenuses are at 90 degree angle from each other.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims benefit of the provisional Appl. Ser. No. 60/741559 filed on Dec. 2, 2005, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to furniture, more particularly, to furniture having a customizable corner modular and an interlocking mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally, a piece of furniture is composed of a centralized main frame and a number of removable accessories. For example, a desk includes a main frame and a number of drawers. For the consideration of totality, integrity, supporting strength and stability, the main frame is usually made as a single piece. When the furniture is to be moved, people usually take off the removable accessories from the furniture but do not dissemble the main frame. The disadvantage of the furniture with a single-piece main frame is that it is impossible to change the height of the furniture without changing its totality, integrity, and original appearance. For example, a user is unable to change the height of a traditional TV desk without changing its frame.

It is also a tradition in the furniture industry that furniture such as TV desks, tables, chest-drawers, wardrobes, etc. is designed in a top-view shape of square or rectangle. In other words, the chassis or body of those is usually in a square or rectangular shape. The furniture is usually placed with its back to the wall and its face to an open space. The disadvantage of the furniture with a square or rectangular chassis is that in most of circumstances, it is impossible to maximize its front view by facing it diagonally at the same time to maximally utilize a corner space behind. For example, in a square living room, to face a square TV desk diagonally, there will be a triangle space left behind, and to fit the square TV desk in the corner and have the TV face diagonally, the totality of the living room, the TV desk, and the TV set would not be look harmonious.

What is desired is a setting which overcomes the disadvantages of the traditional furniture with a centralized main frame and a square or rectangular chassis or body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A modular furniture assembly includes two more modular body sections horizontally interlocked using a coupling mechanism which may be male-over-female type, female-over-male type, one male two females type, or one female two males type. The body sections have a substantially same geometrical top view figure. The male members and female members in the coupling mechanism have a substantially same geometrical top view figure as, but with fitting dimensions smaller than, said body sections' geometrical top view figure. The top view figure is comprised of a symmetrical trapezoid and a rectangle with a width identical to the trapezoid's wide segment. In a typical implementation, the trapezoid's two symmetrical hypotenuses are at 90 degree angle from each other.

In one preferred embodiment, the present invention is an assembly of indoor furniture with a distributed frame, comprising a bottom section, a top section, and one or more in-between body sections which are stacked together. Between each two adjacent body sections, there is a coupling mechanism to prevent the two body sections, when stacked together, from moving horizontally. The coupling mechanism includes a male member that is integrated with one section, and a female member that is integrated with the other section. When two body sections are stacked, the female member and the male member interlock, such that the body sections can not move from each other horizontally.

All body sections are in a substantially same body shape in the front face, sides, and the back. The top view of each body section is a symmetrical polygon comprising of trapezoid at its back, and a rectangle at the front. The back line segment of the rectangle merges with the wide line segment of the trapezoid. In other words, the width of the wide segment of the trapezoid is identical to the width of the front rectangle. The front part and the back part are integrated in one single geometric structure which constitutes the frame of the body section. The front face of each body section is a rectangle, which shares a line segment of the rectangle of the top-view contour. Specifically, when all body sections are stacked together, the front faces of all body sections constitute the total face of the furniture; the body frames of all body sections constitute the main frame of the furniture; the left sides of all body sections constitute the left side of the furniture; all right sides of all body sections constitute the right side of the furniture; and the backs of the all body sections constitute the back of the furniture. To fit the furniture into a corner, the two back sides of the furniture are at an angle which is identical to the inner angle of the corner. For example, for a right angle corner, the back right side of the furniture is at 90 degrees to its back left side.

In another preferred embodiment, the coupling mechanism includes a separate piece of male member, and two identical female members that are integrated with the body sections. To coupling the two body sections together, the male member is placed between the two body sections, and the male member interlocks with the two female members to prevent horizontal or plane level movement.

In another preferred embodiment, the coupling mechanism includes a separate piece of female member, and two identical male members that are integrated with the body sections. To coupling the two body sections together, the female member is placed between the two body sections, and the female member interlocks with the two male members to prevent horizontal movement.

In another preferred embodiment, the front part of each body section has a substantially round face.

In another preferred embodiment, the back part of each body section has a substantially round back surface, which is parallel to the substantially round face of the front part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the front view of the furniture according to one preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating the top view of the furniture according to one preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating the angles of the polygon according to a typical configuration of the invention;

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating the female-over-male coupling mechanism according to one preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating the oblique view of the male member 33 according to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B;

FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating the oblique views of the male member 33 and the female member 32 according to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B;

FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram illustrating the front view of two body sections stacked together with a decorative gap there between;

FIG. 4D is a schematic diagram illustrating the front view of a body section with a male member at its top;

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating the 1-male 2-females coupling mechanism according to another preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5C is a schematic diagram illustrating the male member according to one configuration of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B;

FIG. 5D is a schematic diagram illustrating a metal chassis with three base stands according to one preferred embodiment;

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are schematic diagrams illustrating the 1-female 2-males coupling mechanism according to another preferred embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a drawer configuration according to one preferred embodiment;

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are schematic diagrams illustrating another configuration of the metal chassis for the modular furniture according to the invention;

FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are schematic diagrams illustrating flat panel wood for glass doors on the furniture in various embodiments according to the present invention; and

FIG. 10A through FIG. 10D are schematic diagrams illustrating various top view geometrical configurations for the body sections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While the present invention may be embodied in many different forms or configurations, for the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further implementations of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

The present invention teaches a furniture coupling system, called modular corner system, as shown in the drawings. The system allows modular pieces (herein after as body sections) to be stacked without any screws or bolts. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the front view of the furniture according to one preferred embodiment of the invention. The furniture includes at least a top section 11 and a bottom section 13, and sometimes may include one or more in-between body sections 12, which, in use, will be stacked together. Between each two adjacent body sections, for example between sections 12 and 13, there is a coupling mechanism or interlocking mechanism to prevent the two body sections, when stacked together, from moving horizontally. The coupling mechanism includes a male member 14 that is integrated with body section 13, and a female member which is integrated with the body section 12. The female member is not shown in the front view diagram. In a typical 3-section configuration according to the invention, the heights of the three sections are respectively 9 inches, 18 inches, and 36 inches. However, the furniture can be made in custom sizes.

All body sections are in a substantially same body shape in the front face, two sides, and the back. The top view of each body section is a symmetrical polygon comprised of a trapezoid at its narrow back portion, and a rectangle at the wide front portion. The back line segment of the rectangle merges with the wide line segment of the trapezoid. In other words, the width of the wide segment of the trapezoid is identical to the width of the front rectangle. The front portion and the back portion are integrated in one single geometric structure which constitutes the frame of the body section. The front face of each body section is a rectangle, which shares a line segment of the rectangle of the top-view contour. Specifically, when all body sections are stacked together, the front faces of all body sections constitute the total face of the modular furniture; the body frames of all body sections constitute the main frame of the furniture; the left sides of all body sections constitute the left side of the modular furniture; all right sides of all body sections constitute the right side of the modular furniture; and the backs of the all body sections constitute the back of the modular furniture. To fit the modular furniture into a corner, the two back sides of the furniture, i.e. the two symmetrical hypotenuses, are at an angle which is identical to the inner angle of the corner. As an example, for a right angle corner, the back right side of the furniture is at 90 degrees to its back left side.

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating the top view of the furniture according to one preferred embodiment of the invention. The top view of each section is a symmetrical six-sided polygon which is constituted of a square or rectangular front 21 and a trapezoid back 22. The wide segment 23 of the trapezoid is merged to the width of the square or rectangular front 21. The front portion 21 and the back portion 22 are integrated in a single geometric structure which constitutes the frame of the body section. In a typical configuration according to the invention, the width of the front is 32 inches, the depth of the front is 11 inches, and the total depth is 24 inches. However, the furniture can be made in custom sizes.

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating the angles of the polygon according to a typical configuration according to the invention. The top view of each body section is a six-sided polygon with a front and back. The components are made up of a series of 22½ degree and 45-degree butte joint construction. The trapezoid's two symmetrical hypotenuses of the trapezoid are at 90 degree angle from each other.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating the female-over-male coupling mechanism according to the invention. FIG. 3A illustrates an upper body section with a female coupling member 32 and a lower body section with a male coupling member 31 according to one preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3B illustrates the two body sections in FIG. 3A are coupled together. In the preferred embodiment, each body section has a male member 31 and a female member 32. When body section 12 is stacked on body section 13, the male member 31 of body section 31 is coupled to the female member 32 of body section 2. Body section 13 and body section 12 are thus 2-D interlocked, i.e., they can be separated or disengaged vertically, but cannot be moved from each other horizontally. In this way, a number of modular pieces can be stacked together as a piece of furniture. Because no bolts or screws are used, the units can be separated conveniently.

The female depth 34 can be substantially same as the male height 33. Optionally, to keep a decorative gap 35 between two body sections 12 and 13, the male height 33 is longer than the female depth 34, and the gap 35 is substantially the difference of the male height 33 and the female depth 34.

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram showing the oblique view of the male member 33 on body section 13 according to FIG. 3A. In the typical embodiment, the male member 33 is a ¾-inch-by-¾-inch square trim piece 41 that is attached to the top surface 43 of the body section 13 and set back ¾ inches from the edge 42. The ¾ square trim piece 41 is laid along the outer perimeter of the top surface 43 of the body section 13.

FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram showing the oblique views of the male member 33 on body section 13 and the female member 32 on body section 12 according to FIG. 3A. The ¾ inch square trim piece 41 acts as a male sleeve 33 interlocking with the female space 34 of the body section 12.

FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram showing the front view of two adjacent body sections stacked together with a decorative gap 35 there between. As described above, the gap 35 is made by keeping the male height 33 longer than the female depth 34. In the typical configuration, the ¾ square trim piece 41 locks the body sections in place and creates a decorative ¼ inch gap 35 in between.

FIG. 4D is a schematic diagram showing the front view of a body section, such as body section 13, with a male member 33 at its top. In the typical configuration, the vertical member is 1½ inches thick and horizontal face is 1 inch thick.

Similar to the above described embodiments, the modular furniture may adopt a male-over-female coupling mechanism. Specifically, each of the body sections may have a male member at its bottom and a female member at its top. When stacked together, the male member of the upper body section is coupled to the female member of the lower body section, such that two body sections are interlocked.

In another preferred embodiment, the modular furniture adopts a 1 male 2 female coupling mechanism which includes a separate piece of male member, and two identical female members that are integrated with the body sections. To coupling two body sections together, the male member is placed between the two body sections, and the male member locks with the two female members to prevent horizontal movement.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating a 1-male 2-female coupling mechanism according to another preferred embodiment of the invention. Both the upper body section 52 and the lower body section 53 have an identical female coupling member 54 with a depth 55. The two body sections can be locked by the male member 51. In operation, first insert the male member 51 into the female member 54 of the lower body section 53, and then place the upper body section 52 over the male member 51. Preferably, the thickness 57 of the male member 51 is larger than two times of the depth 55 of the female member, such that when two body sections are locked by the male member 51, a decorative gap 56 is reserved.

FIG. 5C is a schematic diagram illustrating the male member 51 according to one configuration of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B. The male member 51 is a one inch thick piece. Its outline shape is identical to the inline shape of the female members. However, the male member's outline and the female member's inline have fitting dimensions. It is easy to insert the male member 51 into the female member 52 or 53 and pull out the male member 51 from the female member 52 or 53. However, when they are coupled together, the “1 male 2 females coupling mechanism” can prevent the two body sections from horizontal movement against each other.

FIG. 5D is a schematic diagram illustrating a metal chassis 58 with three stands 59. The metal chassis 58 has the same dimensions as the body sections. In a typical configuration, the metal chassis 58 is constructed of 1½ inch square tubing and the stands 59 are 4½ inches tall. In the configuration using the “1 male 1 female coupling mechanism”, the metal chassis 58 has a male member 31 or 41 at its top which is used to couple a body section with a female member.

In the configuration using the “male-over-female coupling mechanism”, the metal chassis 58 has a female member at its top, the very top body section has a male member at its bottom, and all other in-between body sections have male members at the bottom and female members at the top. When stacked together, the male member of the upper body section is coupled to the female member of the lower body section, such that two body sections are interlocked. Similarly, the female member of the metal chassis 58 interlocks the male member of the body section immediately above the metal chassis 58.

In the configuration using the “1 male 2 females coupling mechanism”, the metal chassis 58 has a female member at its top, the very top body section has a female member at its bottom, and other in-between body sections have female members at the top and the bottom. A separate male piece 51 is needed to couple a body section to the chassis as illustrated in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B.

Similarly, in the configuration using the “1 female 2 males coupling mechanism” as illustrated below, the metal chassis 58 has a male member at its top, the very top body section has a male member at its bottom, and other in-between body sections have male members at top and bottom. A separate female piece is needed to couple a body section to the chassis.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are schematic diagrams illustrating the 1-female 2-males coupling mechanism according to another preferred embodiment. Both the upper body section 62 and the lower body section 63 have an identical male coupling member 64 with a height 65. The two body sections can be locked by the female member 61. In operation, first couple the female member 61 into the male member 64 of the lower body section 63, and then place the upper body section 62 over the female member 61. Preferably, the thickness 66 of the female member 61 is slightly larger than two times of the height 65 of the male member. When two body sections are locked by the female member 61, a decorative gap is reserved, which is identical to the thickness 66 of the female member.

In the embodiments described above, each body section may include an inner volume for a drawer. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a drawer configuration for a body section according to the preferred embodiment. The drawer includes a drawer frame 71 has a drawer face 72. The drawer body 71 has a similar geometrical to the body section to which the drawer is installed. The drawer face 72 is a flat piece coupled to the front of the drawer body 71. To assemble the modular furniture, first place a body section over the chassis, then insert the drawer into the body section.

Optionally, a body section can be configured as a shelf. In that case, the body section is actually an enclosure with a front end opening. The enclosure contains an inner volume for placing books or other items. In the embodiments using the male-over-female or female-over-male coupling mechanism, the bottom and the top of the body section have opposite gender coupling members. For example, if the top has a female coupling member, the bottom should have a male coupling member, and vice versa. In the embodiments using the “1 male 2 females coupling mechanism” or the “1 female 2 male coupling system”, both the bottom and the top of the body section have same gender coupling members, and two body sections can be locked one separate piece of coupling member with a gender opposite to the gender of the body sections' coupling members.

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are schematic diagrams illustrating another configuration of the metal chassis for the modular furniture. FIG. 8A illustrates the front view of the metal chassis 81, which is a metal frame with a geometrical figure similar to that of the body sections. FIG. 8B illustrates the chassis 81 supported with three wheels 82 as stands. In operation, the wheels 82 are inserted to the holes on the metal chassis 81, and the body sections are stacked one another on the metal chassis 81. In the embodiments using “male-over-female coupling mechanism”, the bottom and the top of each body section have opposite coupling members, and the coupling member of the chassis 81 has opposite gender to the coupling member of the body section immediately over the chassis 81. For example, if the chassis 81 has a male coupling member, the bottom of the body section immediately over the chassis 81 should have a female coupling member, and vice versa. In the embodiments using “1 male 2 females coupling mechanism”, both the bottom and the top of each body section have female coupling members, and two body sections can be locked one separate piece of male coupling member. In the embodiments using “1 female 2 males coupling mechanism”, both the bottom and the top of each body section have male coupling members, and two body sections can be locked one separate piece of female coupling member. The principle applies to the coupling between the chassis 81 and the body section stacked on it.

FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are schematic diagrams illustrating flat panel wood for glass doors on the furniture in various embodiments according to the present invention. Other type of decorative configurations for the front doors or faces of the body sections may also be used.

The modular furniture assembly according the present invention is customizable. Using three main components and the accessory options, there is over 100 different combinations that can be created. For the frame of the body sections, a variety of woods such as maple, cherry, and oak and finishes can be used.

Using the interlocking system according to the present invention, the top view of the furniture body sections can be in different types of polygons. However, in the most preferred embodiment, the view of each section is a six-segment polygon which is constituted of a rectangular front and a trapezoid back as illustrated in FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, and FIG. 7. The width of the wide segment of the trapezoid is substantially same as the width of the front of the body section.

The front portion and the back portion are integrated in one single symmetrical structure which constitutes the frame of the body section.

FIGS. 10A through FIG. 10D are schematic diagrams illustrating various configurations for the front face and the back of the body sections. The front part of each body section can be a substantially flat face as illustrated in FIG. 10A or a substantially round face as illustrated in FIGS. 10B-10D. The back part of each body section can be a substantially flat face as illustrated in FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B, or a substantially round face as illustrated in FIG. 10C and FIG. 10D. In these configurations, the back right side 94 a of the body sections is parallel to the right wall 93 a of the corner 93, and the back left side 94 b is parallel to left wall 93 b of the corner 93. In the configurations of FIG. 10B and FIG. 10C, the modular furniture has a convex surface 96. In the configuration of FIG. 10C, the modular furniture has a concave back 97 which is parallel to the convex front 96. In the configuration of FIG. 10D, the modular furniture has a convex back 98 which is parallel to the concave front 99.

While one or more embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in detail, the skilled artisan will appreciate that modifications and adoptions to those embodiments may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A modular furniture assembly, comprising: a bottom section; and a top section stacked on said bottom section; wherein said sections are interlocked horizontally by a coupling mechanism, said coupling mechanism comprising a male member on one of said sections and a female member on the other section, said male member's outer contour being slightly smaller in dimensions than said female member's inner contour such that said male member can be vertically engaged with and vertically disengaged from said female member; wherein said sections have a substantially same geometrical top view figure; and wherein said male and female members have a substantially same geometrical top view figure as, but with dimensions smaller than, said two sections' geometrical top view figure.
 2. The modular furniture assembly of claim 1, wherein said top view figure is comprised of a symmetrical trapezoid and a rectangle with a width identical to said trapezoid's wide segment.
 3. The modular furniture assembly of claim 2, wherein said trapezoid's two symmetrical hypotenuses are at 90 degree angle from each other.
 4. The modular furniture assembly of claim 1, further comprising: at least one in-between section between said top section and said bottom section; wherein said in-between section has a substantially same male member, as said male member, on one vertical end and a substantially same female member, as said female member, on the opposite vertical end, said male member interlocking with the female member of one adjacent section, and said female member interlocking with the male member of another adjacent section; and wherein said in-between section has a substantially same geometrical top view figure as said two sections' geometrical top view figure.
 5. The modular furniture assembly of claim 4, wherein said male member's height is selectively longer than said female member's depth such that a predetermined visible gap is maintained between two adjacent sections when said two adjacent sections are stacked.
 6. The modular furniture assembly of claim 1, further comprising a metal chassis, wherein said metal chassis and said bottom section are interlocked with said coupling mechanism; and wherein said metal chassis has three or more removable wheels on its bottom.
 7. The modular furniture assembly of claim 1, wherein said rectangle's outer segment is substantially arc-like, either concave or convex.
 8. A modular furniture assembly, comprising: a bottom section; and a top section stacked on said bottom section; wherein said sections is interlocked horizontally by a coupling mechanism, said coupling mechanism comprising two identical female members, respectively on said sections' vertical connecting ends, and a separate male piece, said male piece's outer contour being slightly smaller in dimensions than said female members' inner contour such that said male piece can be vertically engaged with and vertically disengaged from said female members; wherein said sections have a substantially same geometrical top view figure; and wherein said male piece and said female members have a substantially same geometrical top view figure as, but with dimensions smaller than, said two sections' geometrical top view figure.
 9. The modular furniture assembly of claim 8, wherein said top view figure is comprised of a symmetrical trapezoid and a rectangle with a width identical to said trapezoid's wide segment.
 10. The modular furniture assembly of claim 9, wherein said trapezoid's two symmetrical hypotenuses are at 90 degree angle from each other.
 11. The modular furniture assembly of claim 8, further comprising: at least one in-between section between said top section and said bottom section, said in-between section having two substantially same female members, as said female member, respectively on its two vertical connecting ends; and one more identical separate male piece between every two adjacent sections, said one more male piece interlocking with two female members respectively on two adjacent sections; wherein said in-between section has a substantially same geometrical top view figure as said two sections' geometrical top view figure.
 12. The modular furniture assembly of claim 11, wherein said male member's height is selectively longer than twice of said female member's depth such that a predetermined visible gap is maintained between two adjacent sections when said two adjacent sections are stacked.
 13. The modular furniture assembly of claim 8, further comprising a metal chassis; wherein said metal chassis and said bottom section are interlocked with said coupling mechanism; and wherein said metal chassis has three or more removable wheels on its bottom.
 14. The modular furniture assembly of claim 8, wherein said rectangle's outer segment is substantially arc-like, either concave or convex.
 15. A modular furniture assembly, comprising: a bottom section; and a top section stacked on said bottom section; wherein said sections are interlocked horizontally by a coupling mechanism, said coupling mechanism comprising two identical male members, respectively on said sections' vertical connecting ends, and a separate female piece, said female piece's inner contour being slightly larger in dimensions than said male members' outer contour such that said female piece can be vertically engaged with and vertically disengaged from said male members; wherein said sections have a substantially same geometrical top view figure; wherein said male members have a same geometrical top view figure as said two sections' geometrical top view figure; wherein said female piece has a substantially same geometrical top view figure as, but with smaller dimensions than, said two sections' geometrical top view figure; and wherein said male members' outer contour is smaller in dimensions than said sections' outer contour.
 16. The modular furniture assembly of claim 15, wherein said top view figure is comprised of a symmetrical trapezoid and a rectangle with a width identical to said trapezoid's wide segment.
 17. The modular furniture assembly of claim 16, wherein said trapezoid's two symmetrical hypotenuses are at 90 degree angle from each other.
 18. The modular furniture assembly of claim 15, further comprising: at least one in-between section between said top section and said bottom section, said in-between section having two substantially same male members, as said male member, respectively on its two vertical connecting ends; and one more identical separate female piece between every two adjacent sections, said one more female piece interlocking with two male members respectively on two adjacent sections; and wherein said in-between section has a substantially same geometrical top view figure as said two sections' geometrical top view figure.
 19. The modular furniture assembly of claim 18, wherein said female piece's height is selectively longer than twice of said male member's height such that a visible gap with a height same as said female piece's height is maintained between two adjacent sections when said two adjacent sections are stacked.
 20. The modular furniture assembly of claim 15, further comprising a metal chassis; wherein said metal chassis and said bottom section are interlocked with said coupling mechanism; and wherein said metal chassis has three or more removable wheels on its bottom. 